By Luke Graeber
In the summer the senior class of 2026 received an email written by the principal Jon Hirsch. This email described the senior parking lot has been moved in order to have space for new staff members. This upset many of the seniors, having to park down in the church parking lot.
I talked to many seniors about their parking situation and with research from the Paw Print’s Managing Editor, Julia Welter, the following represent an array of complainants against this measure.
Firstly, there is frustration that one of the distinctions of senior year is being taken away from their experience. To many seniors the right to their own parking space is something which they’ve spent much of their high school careers envisioning for themselves. Now the liberties of previous classes will no longer be extended to them.
In line with this sentiment is senior Sara Welter who commented that it “feels like everything is changing,” before expanding “it’s sad that they no longer have the senior tradition.”
Moreover, since seniors can’t order lunch with the phone ban, more students will want to leave campus for their lunch. Still, this extra walk up and down Heritage Hill can make this impractical, less they risk being late for their next class.
The lot was apparently freed up to make room for 30+ BOCES staff though it’s possible there may be some room left over for seniors. Several report that the lot looks empty when they pass it.
Possibly the biggest issue associated with the removal of senior parking is that the decision was made without any student input. By ignoring our institute of the student council we see our elections and our voice pushed closer to irrelevance. What was the point of the speeches, the posters, and most importantly the votes if it all culminated in a decision over the heads of the student government?
Ultimately, this problem will cause struggles with getting to class on time. Natalie Rushford told me, “the expectations to get to class on time are unattainable [with the added walk]”. Something likely true for the many high schoolers who before the switch would already only arrive at the building a few moments before the bell.
Hirsch says he’s looking for other solutions and comments that the present situation is hopefully just for this year. Still talking to the seniors I realized that as a sophomore myself, problems like this can become recurring throughout my experience in high school. This problem must be dealt with crucial haste and expertise.
Photo taken from https://patch.com/new-jersey/millburn/photos-millburn-schools-senior-car-decorating-contest
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